It’s time to wrap up. Thank you to everyone for the questions. Apologies we couldn’t get to them all, but I think we covered most of the bases. Here’s a parting note from Park Yeon-mi:

When I was four years old, my mum told me not to even whisper. Even the birds and mice could hear me. Even in China I had to hide. My whole life I had to hide. I hid my opinions and could not express anything.

Everyone participating in this conversation have given me a platform to express my voice. Thank you for listening and giving me this opportunity. I hope we can have more of these conversations.

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What would you say is the one aspect of life in North Korea that you think foreigners from outside the country don't know about or understand, even if they read about North Korea a lot?

As a North Korean myself, I can’t even describe it honestly to you, so how can we expect the media to give the whole picture? The day North Korea opens their door and lets people free, we will understand them fully. Hopefully it won’t be too late for them.

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How was sport regarded in North Korea? Was it openly enjoyed or a tool of social control?How were North Korea's international sporting achievements, real or otherwise, presented to the population?

When people win, they have to say a speech, and talk about how their success comes from King Jong-un. Nothing escapes the regime. If you lose, you can be punished, or even sent to jail. Sport just becomes propaganda.

I really appreciate any kind of support from any kind from group, as long as we all fight together to end injustice. But I want people to help, not because of religious reasons, but because we are human beings and deserve respect, regardless of religion.

Its a very controversial issue. As a defector it is difficult for me to have an opinion, I am biased. Personally, I don’t mind that people go there, but people should go there for the people, to care about them, and not to go there and show a bad example of freedom. Bowing in front of Kim’s statue, for me, is like bowing in front of Hitler’s statue, but I’ve seen people do this a lot.

First of all, we need to raise awareness on an international level. Until now, we have have given lots of attention to The Kims, but not enough to victims. We need to change the way we talk about, and report on North Korea to focus on the people. The Kims have had enough attention. We need to realise that the people in North Korea are just normal people like you and I. Yes, people are brainwashed and live a different life to ours, but they are still people, so we must avoid dehumanising them.

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How surprised have you been that your story has been picked up by South Koreans, for example my wife (korean) had read about you on Naver, whereas they are usually a little disinterested to say the least?

I was going to give a TEDx talk in South Korea, and was rejected because North Korea is viewed as too political, but I managed to speak eventually. Westerners pay a lot of attention to my story, and I think this has caught the attention of South Koreans, it is making a difference

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates of the OECD countries, but North Koreans living in the South have a suicide rate three times higher. This shows how difficult life is for people from the North living in the South. I get asked all the time if I’ve ever eaten human flesh, if I’m a spy or why I’m coming to their country. People treat us like potential terrorists. I learned this in my class at university when my lecturer openly said that North Koreans are potential terrorists (he didn’t know I was North Korean).

I have no idea if reunification can be achieved. Its impossible to say, but it is our dream. The culture and mindset is so different.

To what degree does the Black Market function independent of the State and would it be plausible for the Black Market to import democratic ideas, as well as ideas critical of the regime?

Thank you for your time, energy and immense bravery in the face of tyranny.

They legalised the black market on 1 July 2002, so they are integrated. This is their way of controlling it, and taxing it. There is still another illegal market. Trading is part of human nature. Western media smuggled into North Korea can bring the idea of democracy, and this can have a huge effect on people.

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No country is perfect and you obviously had a harsh time in China as well. I would like to know if there is anything at all about North Korea that you miss.

I miss North Korea a lot. The fact that I might never be able to go back makes me miss it more. However bad it was, there are still people there, and I miss them. Wherever people live, there is love, joy and care. I miss the people, but not the system.

How do most North Koreans think about a closed border? What would happen if the border between the North and South was opened for free movement? Mass exodus? Slow assimilation à la East-West Germany in 1989?

People realise that they can’t leave. Not just the country, but their own city! Going to Pyongyang is some people’s greatest dream! My mother was punished for going back to her home town. As for the border between north and south opening, I can’t say. Only time will tell.